PRESS RELEASE: Is Your Internet Access Up to Speed? Now, You Can Tell Us.

RALEIGH N.C. – North Carolina will be better able to identify and address places that lack reliable internet service using a new tool launched today by the North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s (DIT) Broadband Infrastructure Office. People will be able to use the new interactive mapping tool to report whether they have internet access at their home or business and determine the speeds received at their address.

“Reliable internet access is crucial for helping businesses grow, students learn, and communities connect to the wider world,” Governor Cooper said. “This new tool will identify areas that need better access to broadband.”

“I’m extremely proud of this initiative,” said Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Eric Boyette. “Access to high-speed internet is crucial these days, and I’m encouraged by the fact that this technology will bring us one step closer to making sure that North Carolinians receive the services they need, regardless of their geographic location throughout the State.”

The data provided by North Carolinians will be used to populate a map that will show the speed of internet services that households and businesses receive at locations across the state. This information is then used to report coverage data to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

It will also allow DIT to identify parts of the state that need better internet access and help prioritize future projects to expand broadband to communities that need it most.

“The data reported to the FCC by internet service providers gives us only general information about what is available across the state. We repeatedly hear from citizens that their homes or businesses do not have internet access even though the map shows they do,” said Jeff Sural, Director of the Broadband Infrastructure Office. “This new platform will help to provide information that can be extremely important for project planning and funding purposes.”

The Broadband Infrastructure Office (BroadbandIO) was established in 2014 as a statewide resource for broadband access, first responder communications and classroom connectivity initiatives led by the State of North Carolina. BroadbandIO aligns NC Broadband, the statewide effort to expand high-speed Internet access, with the FirstNet public safety initiative for improved resource-sharing across state agencies. The centralized and streamlined Office provides the opportunity to work across agencies and identify infrastructure development needs across North Carolina.